An oily substance in the water surrounds this seething red mass of wormlike lumps of algae.
Blood Algae Swarm CR 8
XP 4,800
N Diminutive plant (swarm)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +0
AC AC 21, touch 17, flat-footed 18 (+3 Dex, +4 natural, +4 size)
hp 97 (13d8+39)
Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +4
Defensive Abilities swarm traits; Immune weapon damage, plant traits
Speed swim 20 ft.
Melee swarm (3d6 plus distraction)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks algal bloom, cling (DC 18), distraction (DC 18)
Str 3, Dex 16, Con 16, Int â, Wis 11, Cha 5
Base Atk +9; CMB â; CMD â
Skills Swim +11
Once every 2d4 rounds as a standard action while underwater, a blood algae swarm can release a cloud of red pigment in a 10-foot radius centered on the swarm. In this area, the water turns blood red and becomes opaque, blocking vision as obscuring mist. The pigment persists for 3 rounds before dispersing. The pigment colors the skin and clothes of any creature within the area a blood-red color for 1d4 hours, at which time the pigment fades. Scrubbing for several minutes with strong alcohol also removes the pigment.
If a creature leaves a blood algae swarmâs square, several of the squirming creatures continue to cling to the victim. A creature with blood algae clinging to it takes 2d6 points of damage at the end of its turn each round. The creature can remove the algae with a successful DC 18 Reflex save as a full-round action. Any amount of damage from an area effect destroys all clinging algae, and the clinging algae also drop off automatically if the victim leaves the water or moves more than 30 feet from the blood algae swarm. The save DC is Dexterity-based.
Environment temperate or warm rivers
Organization solitary or colony (2â6)
Treasure none
Blood algae swarms are diurnal, floating toward the waterâs surface in sunny weather and sinking to the bottom at night. These creatures absorb some nutrients directly from the water, but to survive longer periods of time, they must feed on living creatures such as crustaceans, fish, or mammals. Blood algae attach themselves to their preyâs skin, inserting needlelike protrusions in the flesh, through which they can feed.
Because blood algae swarms can color the water red, there are many superstitious beliefs in Taldor about evil spirits that turn the water into blood to punish people.
Pathfinder Adventure Path #130: City in the Lionâs Eye © 2018, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Mikko Kallio, with Eleanor Ferron, Mike Headley, Joe Kondrak, Kalervo Oikarinen, and Liz Smith.